The Idol (2023)

Metascore

Critic Reviews

Jun 5, 2023

It comes close to some profound insight into our times. Striking and sordid, you’ll want to jump straight in the shower after an hour in The Idol’s polluting company. Read full review

Rory Doherty

May 23, 2023

It wants to shock, yes, to relish in the spectacle and traumas of a perilous, punishing, but always bewitching industry. But it also wants desperately to be liked, to be considered current, cutting, and empathetic. It’s not that Episodes 1 and 2 are outright failures, but they are always transparent. Read full review

The Guardian Rebecca Nicholson

Jun 5, 2023

It’s a big, dumb spectacle, and while I don’t hate it, by the end of the first hour, I am a little bored. Read full review

The Playlist Robert Daniels

May 23, 2023

Lily-Rose is fully committed. She gives everything: body, soul, and heart. And yet, you can’t help but wonder why she must answer for this much while receiving only morsels of a character. She deserves better. Unless “The Idol” changes drastically in the next few episodes, she will be nothing more than the window dressing of a concept in service of a misguided, gross, unaware, and untenable vanity project. Read full review

Kelly Lawler

Jun 5, 2023

It is a hopeless try-hard, and worse, it's painfully dull. Starring Lily-Rose Depp and pop star The Weeknd (billed under his real name, Abel Tesfaye), “Idol” doesn’t work on any level. Read full review

Peter Debruge

May 23, 2023

Seems calculated to fool audiences into thinking they’re observing how Hollywood operates, when so much of it amounts to tawdry clichés lifted from Sidney Sheldon novels and softcore porn. “Showgirls” at least was a thinly veiled “All About Eve” remake, whereas “The Idol” plays like a sordid male fantasy. Read full review

Peter Travers

Jun 9, 2023

The only thing shocking about this vanity production from The Weeknd, whose acting runs the gamut from A to B, is how shockingly bad it is. From its leering male gaze to its juvenile eroticism and cringy dialogue, the premiere episode hits a new low in creative ineptitude. Read full review

SEE ALL 24 REVIEWS

User Score

Write a Review

2.0

User Reviews

Mindurbidniss

Jun 20, 2023

Perfect antidote to these woke remixes and reboots. So many yeah it did it's portrayal of Hollywood characters as if the previous "hero" depictions are accurate. These are filthy, egomaniacal people who do filthy egomaniacal things daily. This is probably the most accurate portrayal I'vePerfect antidote to these woke remixes and reboots. So many yeah it did it's portrayal of Hollywood characters as if the previous "hero" depictions are accurate. These are filthy, egomaniacal people who do filthy egomaniacal things daily. This is probably the most accurate portrayal I've seen of these people.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

dtg12

Jun 6, 2023

Finally a decent piece of television on HBO with pleasant lead and limited amount of preaching. Enjoyable

13 of 74 users found this helpful1361

trimoth

Jun 4, 2023

The critics belong to a hivemind and do not believe the early reviews, This is tastefully and masterfully done. This show is a mesmerizing daydream mixed with a dark nightmare fantasy, first episode based off the first episode it hits every mark. Lily Rose Depp is incredible and theThe critics belong to a hivemind and do not believe the early reviews, This is tastefully and masterfully done. This show is a mesmerizing daydream mixed with a dark nightmare fantasy, first episode based off the first episode it hits every mark. Lily Rose Depp is incredible and the supporting cast lift her up to new heights until she soars and plateaus in the best ways imaginable. Abel and Sam's vision really captured that of a fraught pop star coping with young adulthood, freedom, liberation and choices is such a wonder to watch.… Expand

17 of 85 users found this helpful1768

mbyrly

Jun 5, 2023

nonsense vulgar sh*t for 14 y.o fans of Euphoria. Disrespect for Abel. Maybe soundtrack album can fix this bullsh*t i mean, marketing, but who knows

57 of 69 users found this helpful5712

erolsabadosh

Jun 8, 2023

Nicely shot and that's about where the positives end. The script is laughably bad and so is a lot of the acting. Torture to get through.

54 of 66 users found this helpful5412

pangipingu

Jul 3, 2023

Hands down, the worst TV show I've seen in my life. Even IRIB series are better than this **** Can't imagine how ashamed HBO executives must be. Someone should remind Levinson Jr. that pushing people's buttons is not necessarily a good thing.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Kairo98

Jun 6, 2023

Just an horrible porn attemp, Idol where? trash Characters, Bad writing, only photography has any real value

57 of 70 users found this helpful5713

SEE ALL 56 REVIEWS

Featured

The Idol (2023): Season 1

Season 1 Episodes

Seasons & Episodes